Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Wall – ceiling – or floor designed for utilities
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-08-07
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Wall, ceiling, or floor designed for utilities
C052S220300, C052S198000, C052S749100, C052S002230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269598
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the construction and geometric form of sectional elements and sectional modules, to the combination of these elements and modules with coating materials and functional layers and/or functional elements, and to the uses of elements, modules and combinations of this type.
The sectional elements, sectional modules and combinations of these elements and modules with coating materials and functional layers and/or functional elements according to the invention are used in particular for the directional conveying of flowable media with the occurrence of an exchange of energy and/or matter from a flowing material to a flowing material and/or between a flowing material and a surrounding material and optionally also to media adjacent thereto. In uses of this type, sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention are generally employed in a composite comprising a plurality of identical sectional elements or sectional modules or in mixed combinations of elements and/or modules of this type. In the use according to the invention of corresponding sectional elements and sectional modules, the external walls, etc., of buildings, in the region above the top edge of the ground between the supporting and weather-protection shells and in the region below the top edge of the ground between the supporting shell and the adjoining ground, can be provided with a harmonisation flow which communicates with the external air in such a way that air-conditioning of the building is effected which is both comfortable and user-friendly and which is inexpensive and is matched to daily and yearly atmospheric conditions. Moreover, this harmonisation flow results in the equilibration of the building structure of the building as a result of the homogenisation of the temperature of the structure and of the regulation of the moisture balance.
It is known that flowable media can be conveyed directionally, and free from leaks to a greater or lesser extent, by means of sectional elements and modules which are formed in the shape of channels. It is also known that an exchange of energy, particularly an exchange of thermal energy from a flowing material to a flowing material and/or between a flowing material and a surrounding material and optionally also to media adjacent thereto, occurs on the flow of media through corresponding elements or modules (the principle of the heat exchanger). Furthermore, it is known that elements or modules of this type can be provided, as a whole or in parts thereof, with functional layers, e.g. with thermally insulating layers, which restrict the exchange of energy described above and which optionally even substantially suppress it. In addition, it is known that corresponding elements and modules can be provided with coatings, e.g. for the purpose of protecting them from corrosion and/or wear. Wear-protection layers, particularly when they are designed to be replaceable, constitute one example of the fact that a desired or undesired exchange of matter can occur between a flowing material and a surrounding material, in addition to a desired or undesired exchange of energy. As is known, an exchange of matter between a flowing material and a surrounding material can also occur on the path of diffusion via the delimiting walls of the flow channels. It is also known that the known elements and modules described above can be provided with ingresses and penetrations, e.g. for the purpose of feeding and discharging flowing material, for the purposes of storage, removal, measurement or regulation or for another type of effect on a flowing material. The use over large surface areas of sectional elements comprising a bonded-in functional or insulating layer and integrated flow guidance channels for the purpose of providing background ventilation of facades is known in building construction. Given that the atmospheric conditions are appropriate, this results in an exchange of both thermal energy and of matter in the form of water vapour between the surrounding material and the background ventilation flow which is supplied from the surrounding air.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In particular, the sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention differ from known sectional elements and modules by the form of construction of the flow guiding and delimiting walls of the flow channels. Whereas known elements and sections have channel walls of single- or multi-layer construction, so that each wall layer has a substantially uniform material structure, the flow guiding walls of the sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention are of open-worked form, over their entire area or over parts thereof, e.g. are of mesh-like or perforated construction. If the sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention are adapted to the conditions of use by combining them with a paste-like, solidifiable coating material, the coating material expands into the space opposite the coating side with the formation of nodules, pegs, projections or the like. A more intensive or less intensive exchange of energy and/or matter or another type of interaction between a flowing material and a surrounding material, and optionally an interaction with media, materials and/or building structures with are adjacent thereto, can occur via the increase in the surface area of the walls which is achieved in this manner. Thus, for example, a change in direction of the flow, e.g. a swirling flow, can be produced by the geometry and/or arrangement of nodules of solidified coating material which protrude into the flow space.
As determined by their use, sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention can be provided, for example, with functional layers such as heat- and sound-insulating layers, radiation absorption layers and/or radiation-reflecting layers. When sectional elements and sectional module of this type are coated according to the invention with a paste-like, solidifiable substance, a composite can be created between this substance, the adjoining functional layers and the sectional elements and modules. At the same time, the functional layers can be imparted with a form of construction such that they not only intensify the desired interaction between the flowing material and the surrounding material on account of their material properties, but also intensify said interaction on account of their geometric form, e.g. due to their comparatively large surface area.
As determined by the conditions of use, coating materials can also be used for the coating according to the invention of sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention which after penetrating the walls of the section or module and after entering the flow space do not solidify causing an increase in surface area but retain their paste-like consistency or a consistency which is susceptible to attrition, so that they are broken down or removed by the flowing material and a desired exchange of matter is effected in this manner from the coating material to the flowing material. A corresponding feeding process can thereby proceed as the coating material is broken down.
After they have been arranged in layers or bundles, sectional elements and sectional modules according to the invention of the type described above can in turn form sectional elements or sectional modules according to the invention with further elements/modules of an identical or different constructional design. In elements and modules of this type, the paste-like coating material, which is optionally solidifiable to a greater or lesser extent, can at the same time penetrate the walls of adjacent sectional elements with an increase in the surface area thereof and/or with the formation of a composite. As determined by the particular use, functional components or functional layers such as heating mats can at the same time be embedded in the coating material.
In all the forms of construction of sectional elements and sectional modules according to the i
Kent Christopher T.
Larson & Taylor PLC
Thissell Jennifer I.
Wintermantel, Brich
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